A man swims beside corals off of Verde Island, Batangas province, Philippines on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. The Philippines is seeing one of the world's biggest buildouts of natural gas infrastructure. But the buildout raises serious questions about the health of nearby coral reefs and fishing communities. (Photo by Aaron Favila/AP Photo)





People visit the remnants of the old sunken town of Pantabangan on April 28, 2024 in Nueva Ecija province, Philippines. Due to a severe drought in the Philippines, a centuries-old settlement submerged since the 1970s has reemerged, attracting tourists despite the extreme heat. This event marks the sixth appearance of the nearly 300-year-old ruins of old Pantabangan town, including parts of a church and tombstones, since the construction of a dam for irrigation and hydro-power. The reservoir's water level has dropped nearly 50 meters below normal as the country faces extreme heat exacerbated by El Niño conditions, leading to official drought declarations in about half of the country's provinces. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)





A pedestrian holding an umbrella walks past children cooling off on a makeshift pool along a street in Manila on May 3, 2024, amidst a heat wave. (Photo by Ted Aljibe/AFP Photo)





An aerial drone photo taken on May 5, 2024 shows people cooling off in a swimming pool at a resort in Bulacan Province, the Philippines. People spend time at pools to cool off amid heatwave in the Philippines. (Photo by Xinhua News Agency/Rex Features/Shutterstock)





Filipino children frolic in a makeshift swimming pool along a street in Manila, Philippines, 08 May 2024. The Philippine state weather bureau said in its May 08 forecast that at least 18 areas across the country, including the Philippine capital Manila, could have a danger-level heat index in the range of 42 to 51 degrees Celsius. (Photo by Francis R Malasig/EPA/EFE)





A woman participates in Santacruzan, an annual parade that celebrates the Holy Cross, in Manila on May 30, 2024. (Photo by Jam Sta Rosa/AFP Photo)





Filipino fishermen and activists wear boat costumes to protest against alleged Chinese aggression at the disputed South China Sea as they stage a rally in front of the Chinese consulate ahead of Independence Day in Makati, Philippines on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. (Photo by Aaron Favila/AP Photo)





Police block protesters holding a rally to criticize agressive sea maneuvers of Chinese defense units against Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, outside China's consular office in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines, 14 June 2024. The protesters opposed plans by China to implement trespassing rules in disputed areas of the South China Sea, a move that could further endanger Philippine defense contingents and Filipino fishing workers. (Photo by Rolex Dela Pena/EPA)





Catholic devotees covered in mud and dried leaves gather at church grounds for a holy mass during the Taong Putik Festival (Mud People) in Bibiclat village, Aliaga town in Nueva Ecija province, Philippines, 24 June 2024. The early morning ritual of the Mud People is followed by a holy mass to honor the feast day of Saint John the Baptist, as devotees give thanks and pray for more blessings in life. (Photo by Rolex Dela Pena/EPA/EFE)





A Catholic boy walks towards the church of Saint John the Baptist during the mud festival at Bibiclat, Nueva Ecija province, northern Philippines, Monday, June 24, 2024. (Photo by Aaron Favila/AP Photo)





Devout Catholics, dressed in dried banana leaves, participate in mass at the church of Saint John the Baptist during the mud festival at Bibiclat, Nueva Ecija province, northern Philippines, Monday, June 24, 2024. (Photo by Aaron Favila/AP Photo)





A devout Catholic lights candles outside the church of Saint John the Baptist during the mud festival at Bibiclat, Nueva Ecija province, northern Philippines, Monday, June 24, 2024. (Photo by Aaron Favila/AP Photo)





Devout Catholics cry as they participate in mass at the church of Saint John the Baptist during the mud festival at Bibiclat, Nueva Ecija province, northern Philippines, Monday, June 24, 2024. (Photo by Aaron Favila/AP Photo)





A young Catholic waits for the start of mass at the church of Saint John the Baptist during the mud festival at Bibiclat, Nueva Ecija province, northern Philippines, Monday, June 24, 2024. (Photo by Aaron Favila/AP Photo)





Devout Catholics, dressed in dried banana leaves, pray outside the church of Saint John the Baptist during the mud festival at Bibiclat, Nueva Ecija province, northern Philippines, Monday, June 24, 2024. (Photo by Aaron Favila/AP Photo)





A devout Catholics stands with roses at the church of Saint John the Baptist during the mud festival at Bibiclat, Nueva Ecija province, northern Philippines, Monday, June 24, 2024. (Photo by Aaron Favila/AP Photo)





Police personnel use shields as cover during rainfall along the main road leading to the House of Representatives ahead of the third State of the Nation Address by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Quezon City, Philippines, Monday, July 22, 2024. (Photo by Mark Cristino/AP Photo)





Demonstrators march along the main road heading to the House of Representatives ahead of the third State of the Nation Address by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Quezon City, Philippines, Monday, July 22, 2024. (Photo by Mark Cristino/AP Photo)





Motorists ride through a flooded street in Manila on July 23, 2024, amid heavy rains brought about by Typhoon Gaemi. (Photo by Ted Aljibe/AFP Photo)





Effigies of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos (L) and Vice President Sara Duterte are seen as protesters march to congress during a demonstration coinciding with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos’ State of the Nation Address, in Manila on July 22, 2024. (Photo by Ted Aljibe/AFP Photo)